Jeff Cope
Winners have been announced in the 19th annual Women’s International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWWSC). The competition, which took place recently in Santa Rosa, Calif., was founded on the premise that the majority of wine purchased for home consumption is bought by women. The IWWSC judging panels consist entirely of professional women in the wine and spirits industries — winemakers, distillers, marketers, buyers, sommeliers, educators, and journalists.
“As always, the International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition shined a spotlight on hundreds of deserving products,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management & Production, which organizes and presents IWWSC. “Entry is open to all winemakers and distillers, regardless of gender, but we do add an extra spotlight for the top woman in each category. In an industry that has traditionally been perceived as a ‘men’s club,’ it’s important to highlight the roles women are playing to push the industry forward.
All the competition’s results can be seen on their website.
These are all the Texas winery results:
| Winery | Wine | AVA | Description | Medal | Points | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards | 2023 Tannat | Texas High Plains | Gold | 93 | Smokey and spicy; delightful savory notes | |
| Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards | 2025 Roussanne | Texas High Plains | Gold | 91 | Blend of stone fruit and tropical; sweet citrus, jasmine; complex | |
| Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards | 2025 Trebbiano | Texas High Plains | Gold | 94 | Lovely nose; pretty citrus and herbal on palate; candied lime | |
| Lost Oak Winery | 2025 Orange Muscat | Texas High Plains | Stop Fermented | Best of Class | 97 | Juniper; rich mouthfeel; pleasing finish |
| Lost Oak Winery | 2025 Orange Muscat | Texas High Plains | Stop Fermented | Double Gold | 97 | Juniper; rich mouthfeel; pleasing finish |
